JP3538069B2 - Broadcast communication test method - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a broadcast communication test system, and more particularly to a broadcast communication test system using a multiprocessor configuration.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, broadcast communication (broadcast communication) includes a master node for transmitting data and a plurality of slave nodes for receiving data. The normality of the broadcast is determined by the transmission status of the master node. I have. Here, the broadcast communication means a so-called broadcast communication in which the same data is simultaneously transmitted from one processor to a plurality of processors.

[0003] As one example of such broadcast communication, a "response information collection method in broadcast transmission" described in JP-A-5-128034 is known.

This publication describes a technique for managing response information returned at the start of transmission in a data transfer system for simultaneously transmitting the same data from one processor to a plurality of processors.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a conventional broadcast communication test system.

Referring to FIG. 3, a source processor 2
1 and a source inter-processor communication adapter 22. The inter-processor communication adapter 22 collects and stores the contents of a response packet 27 returned from a broadcast destination (not shown). A storage unit 24 and a state register 26 for performing a logical sum operation for each predetermined data of the returned response packet 27 and storing the operation result 23
And a broadcast number counting means 25 for setting the total transmission number data 28 of the broadcast transmission and outputting a broadcast transmission end signal 29 after the transmission is completed.

Next, the operation will be described.

Prior to the broadcast transmission, the total transmission number data 28 of the broadcast transmission is set in advance in the broadcast number counting means 25, and every time a response packet 27 is returned from the broadcast transmission destination after the start of the broadcast transmission. The number of response packets 27 is counted. When the counted response packet 27 matches the preset total transmission number data 28 of the broadcast transmission destination, it is determined that the broadcast transmission has ended, and the broadcast transmission end signal 29 is sent to the processor 2.
Output to 1. On the other hand, during the broadcast transmission period, the broadcast response status storage unit 24 reads and collects and stores the response packet 27 returned from the broadcast transmission destination, and collects and stores the response packet collected and stored as necessary after the completion of the broadcast transmission. 27 and the operation result 23 of the status register 26
Is transferred to the processor 21, and the processor 21 checks and analyzes the contents to confirm the normality of the communication.

[0009]

The above-mentioned conventional broadcast communication test system has a multi-processor configuration in which a master node and a slave node of a processor have one.
Broadcasting is performed in which the same data is transmitted collectively, as well as transmitted one-to-one. In the case of such a broadcast communication, whether the broadcast communication has been normally performed is carried out by mounting a check program on a transmission status, a received packet, or a slave node to confirm the normality.

That is, since the normality of the broadcast communication (broadcast communication) is confirmed using the transmission status and the received packet, the data can be transmitted to the target slave node by the header, but the user data is guaranteed. It has the disadvantage that it has not been done.

When a check program is installed in a slave node for confirmation, the result of the check program must be displayed on each slave node, so that the test equipment is enlarged, the cost is increased, and the test time is reduced. Also has the disadvantage that it takes a lot of time.

An object of the present invention is to confirm the normality of data and reduce the test time when broadcast communication for simultaneously transmitting the same data from one master node to a plurality of slave nodes is performed in a multiprocessor system configuration. Another object of the present invention is to provide a broadcast communication test method for facilitating test equipment.

[0013]

[0014]

A broadcast communication test system according to the present invention includes a master node, a plurality of slave nodes, and a concentrator connecting the master node and each of the slave nodes. Comprises a first central processing unit for managing nodes and confirming the normality of broadcast communication;
A first main memory for storing the received data returned from the first node, and comparing and comparing the received data and the transmitted data returned to the main memory, and reporting the result to the first central processing unit. A first concentrator interface controller for transmitting and receiving data, converting cells, and returning the received data to perform an interface between nodes; and transferring the transmitted / received data to the first concentrator interface controller. Each of the slave nodes includes a second central processing unit that manages the node, a second main memory that stores the transmission data and the reception data, A second control unit for performing data transfer and a result report instruction, data transmission / reception, cell conversion, and the reception data A second concentrator interface control unit for performing a return, is characterized by and a second direct memory access controller for transferring the received data to the second concentrator interface control unit.

A transfer unit configured to remove the header of the received packet data, add information, and return the information to the master node;
An ATM cell converter for adding header information to data and transmitting the data, a memory for storing received data, a third direct memory access controller for transferring received data stored in the memory, and a third for controlling data transfer And a control unit.

As a result of performing broadcast communication from the master node to the plurality of slave nodes,
If there is no response from the first slave node, the first concentrator is sent to the second slave node that has successfully performed the broadcast communication in accordance with the instruction of the first central processing unit of the master node. The third control unit of the interface control unit instructs information on one-to-one communication, a test mode, a data transfer mode, and a transfer partner ID.
The TM cell conversion unit adds a header, and the second
Data is transmitted to the slave node.

The ATM cell converter of the second slave node that has received the transmission data saves the reception data in the second main memory, and the third controller recognizes the header information of the reception data. , and outputs a transmission instruction of to the first slave node has failed the received data to the broadcast communication to the transfer portion, one-to-one communications, the test mode, grant information return instructions, said ATM cell It is characterized in that it is transmitted from the conversion unit.

Further, the broadcast communication test method is used as a communication test method.

[0019]

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of the broadcast communication test system of the present invention.

In the present embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a master node 1, a plurality of slave nodes 2 to 2n, and an H connecting the master node 1 to each of the slave nodes 2 to 2n.
UB8. Here, the functions of the master node 1 and the slave nodes 2 to 2n are equivalent. Also,
HUB is a LAN wiring concentrator, and indicates a concentrator that bundles LAN cables.

The master node 1 manages the nodes and checks the normality of the broadcast communication.
Main memory 4 for storing transmission data and reception data
A HUB interface controller 7 that performs write data transfer and a result report instruction, performs data transmission / reception, performs cell conversion and returns received data, and serves as an interface between nodes, and transmits transmission data to the HUB interface controller 7. DMAC (Direct Mem) to be transferred
ory Access Controller (direct memory access controller) 5.

The slave node 2 also includes a central processing unit 3a for managing the node, a main memory 4a for storing transmission data and reception data, and a HUB interface control unit 7a for transmitting and receiving data, converting cells, and returning received data. And a DMAC 5a that transfers transmission data to the HUB interface control unit 7a.

Similarly, the slave node 2n also has a central processing unit 3n that manages the node, a main memory 4n that stores transmission data and reception data, and a HUB interface controller 7n that performs data transmission / reception, cell conversion, and reception data return. And a DMAC 5n that transfers transmission data to the HUB interface control unit 7n.

FIG. 2 is a detailed block diagram showing an example of the HUB interface control section of FIG.

In FIG. 2, a transfer unit 10 is provided in each of the HUB interface control units 7, 7a, and 7n for performing cell formation and transmission / reception of data.

HUB interface control units 7, 7a, 7
n indicates that the data DMA-transferred from the main memory 4 in the master node 1 is HUB interface control units 7 and 7
a, 7n stored in the main memory 12 and the control unit 13
The packet is converted by the ATM cell conversion unit 9 according to the instruction, and the packet is broadcast-transmitted (broadcast transmission) to the plurality of slave nodes 2 and 2n via the HUB 8. Also, the HUB interface control units 7a, 7 of the slave nodes 2, 2n
In n, after the data is received by the ATM cell converter 9 that has received the data, the received data is written into the main memory 12, while the DMAC 11 returns the received data from the transfer unit 10 to the master node 1.

The transfer unit 10 performs an operation of removing the header of the packet data received by the ATM cell conversion unit 9, adding necessary information, and returning the data to the master node 1 of the transmission source. Therefore, there is no need to install a check program on the slave node side, and the normality of broadcast communication can be confirmed by comparing and collating transmission data on the master node 1 side. Thus, simplification of test equipment, cost reduction, and test time reduction can be achieved.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS.

In order to confirm the normality in the broadcast communication, the master node 1 sends the slave nodes 2 to
Broadcast communication is performed to 2n via HUB8. The data packets are received by the slave nodes 2 to 2n, and the HUB interface control units 7a and 7n return the data portion of the transmitted packet to the transmission source master node 1 with necessary header information. The packet data returned to the master node 1 is stored in the master node 1.
The data is compared with the transmission data to confirm the normality, and is reported to the central processing unit 3.

To execute the broadcast communication, first, the transmission data to be transmitted to the slave nodes 2 to 2n is written in the main memory 4 of the master node 1, and the DMAC 5 transmits the transmission data written in the main memory 4 according to an instruction from the control unit 6. Is transferred to the main memory 12 in the HUB interface control unit 7, and the transmission data is broadcast-transmitted to the plurality of slave nodes 2 to 2n according to an instruction from the control unit 13 in the HUB interface control unit 7. At this time, its own I / O performed by the ATM cell converter 9 of the HUB interface controllers 7a and 7n of the slave nodes 2 to 2n.
D, header information such as a destination data storage address, broadcast communication, and a test mode are added to the data and transmitted. The ATM cell conversion units 9 of the slave nodes 2 to 2n that have received the transmission data store the reception data in the main memory 12 via the control unit 13 according to the header information.

On the other hand, the stored reception data is, on the one hand, transferred to the main memories 4a, 4n in the slave nodes 2 to 2n by the DMAC 11 in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 13, and the DMAC 5a,
5n, and reports the information to the central processing units 3a, 3n according to the instructions of the control units 6a, 6n. The control unit 13
After determining the broadcast communication and test mode,
The transfer unit 10 issues an instruction to return the received data to the master node 1 of the transmission source. When the data is returned from the transfer unit 10, A
The TM cell conversion unit 9 adds information such as the self / other party ID and the other party data storage address and returns the information. The returned HUB interface control unit 7 of the master node 1
In accordance with the header information, the cell conversion unit 9 saves the return data to the main memory 12 with the destination ID at any time according to the instruction from the control unit 13, and optionally returns the DMAC 11 according to the instruction from the control unit 13.
Then, the return data saved in the main memory 12 is transferred to the main memory 4 of the master node 1. The return data transferred to the main memory 4 performs comparison and collation of the write data and the return data as needed at the instruction of the control unit 6, and reports the result to the central processing unit 3.

As a second embodiment of the present invention, the configuration is the same as that of FIGS. 1 and 2, but the operation at the time of abnormal termination of broadcast communication is different.

That is, as a result of performing the broadcast communication from the master node 1 to the plurality of slave nodes 2 to 2n, for example, when there is no response from the slave node 2, the broadcast is performed by the instruction of the central processing unit 3 of the master node 1. The control unit 13 of the HUB interface control unit 7 instructs the arbitrary slave node 2n that has successfully performed the communication, such as one-to-one communication, a test mode, a data transfer mode, and a transfer partner ID, and outputs the ATM cell. The converter 9 adds a header, and operates the slave node 2 normally.
n.

Slave node 2n that has received the transmission data
The ATM cell converter 9 of the
Evacuate to The control unit 13 recognizes the header information of the received data, and transmits a transmission instruction to the slave node 2 that has failed in the broadcast communication of the received data, to the transfer unit 1.
The ATM cell conversion unit 9 sends the information to 0, attaches information such as one-to-one communication, a test mode, and a return instruction.

At this time, when there is a return from the slave node 2 that failed in the broadcast communication of the transmission destination,
After analyzing the content, it is returned to the master node 1. The returned master node 1 reports the information to the central processing unit 3 after analyzing the contents. If there is no return from the slave node 2 of the destination where the broadcast communication has failed and there is no timeout, information indicating no return is transmitted to the master node 1. In the master node 1 that has received the data, if the normal data is returned, it is considered that the port of the HUB 8 is abnormal, and if the information indicating that the data is not returned is returned, it can be considered that the slave node 2 is abnormal.

As described above, in the second embodiment, an abnormal range is specified by using a slave node in which broadcast communication functions normally. With such a usage, the master node 1 can specify a partial abnormality between the nodes, the suspected device can be determined, and the testability can be improved and new test equipment does not need to be expanded.

As described above, in the broadcast communication using the multiprocessor configuration by the master node 1 and the slave nodes 2 to 2n, the destination slave nodes 2 to 2n
The transfer unit 10 for returning the received data to the transmission source master node 1 is provided, and the data returned to the master node 1 is compared with the transmission data to determine whether the broadcast communication is normal / abnormal. Not all the abnormal nodes (HUB8
Confirmation) can be performed.

From the determination of the normal / abnormal node (including the HUB 8), the information is analyzed by the master node 1 in the test mode (instruction to transmit the abnormal slave node data to the normal slave node) in the master node 1. It is possible to identify the suspected abnormality of the slave nodes 2 to 2n or the HUB 8 port.

Accordingly, by determining the normality of the broadcast communication test by the master node, it is possible to eliminate the need for any test equipment and check program on the slave node side.

It is also possible to perform a communication test method using the broadcast communication test method.

[0042]

As described above, according to the broadcast communication test method of the present invention, when broadcasting the same data from the master node to a plurality of slave nodes at once, the transmission data is returned by hardware. Since complicated software processing such as a check program can be made unnecessary on a plurality of slave nodes, there is an effect that large-scale test equipment is not required and the normality of broadcast communication can be confirmed.

Further, when the same data is broadcast-transmitted from the master node to a plurality of slave nodes in a lump, a function for automatically returning the transmission data to the inside of the HUB interface control unit for returning the transmission data in a hardware manner and a transfer unit are provided. Therefore, there is an effect that it can be confirmed in a short time whether or not the broadcast communication has actually been normally performed, and even if an abnormality occurs, it can be recognized in a node unit.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of a broadcast communication test system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a detailed block diagram illustrating an example of a HUB interface control unit in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a conventional broadcast communication test method.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Master node 2 to 2n slave nodes 3,3a, 3n central processing unit 4,4a, 4n main memory 5,5a, 5n DMAC 6,6a, 6n control unit 7,7a, 7n HUB interface control unit 8 HUB 9 ATM cell converter 10 transfer unit 11 DMAC 12 Main memory 13 Control unit 20 packet data 21 processor 22 Communication adapter between processors 23 Calculation result 24 Broadcast response status storage unit 25 Broadcast number counting means 26 Status Register 27 Response packet 28 Total transmission count data 29 Broadcast transmission end signal

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04L 12/56 400

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. A master node, a plurality of slave nodes, and a concentrator that connects the master node to each of the slave nodes, wherein the master node manages the nodes and checks the normality of broadcast communication. A first central processing unit, a first main memory for storing transmission data and reception data returned from the slave node, and comparing and comparing the reception data returned to the main memory with the transmission data. A first control unit for reporting a result to the first central processing unit; and a first control unit for performing transmission / reception of data, cell conversion and return of the received data, and interfacing between nodes.
A first concentrator interface controller, and a first controller for transferring the transmission / reception data to the first concentrator interface controller.
Each of the slave nodes includes: a second central processing unit that manages the node; a second main memory that stores the transmission data and the reception data; A second control unit for issuing a result report instruction; and a second control unit for transmitting / receiving data, converting cells, and returning the received data.
And a second direct memory access controller for transferring the transmission / reception data to the second concentrator interface controller. 2. The first and second concentrator interface control sections remove a header of received packet data and add information,
A transfer unit for returning to the master node, an ATM cell conversion unit for adding header information to data and transmitting the data, a memory for storing received data, and a third direct memory access controller for transferring the received data stored in the memory 2. The broadcast communication test system according to claim 1, further comprising a third control unit for controlling data transfer. 3. When there is no response from the first slave node as a result of performing broadcast communication from the master node to the plurality of slave nodes,
The third control unit of the first concentrator device interface control unit performs one-to-one communication with the second slave node that has successfully performed the broadcast communication according to the instruction of the first central processing unit of the master node. 1 Instruct information of communication, test mode, data transfer mode, transfer partner ID ,
3. The broadcast communication test system according to claim 2, wherein said ATM cell converter adds a header and transmits data to said second slave node operating normally. 4. The ATM cell converter of the second slave node receiving the transmission data saves the reception data in the second main memory, and the third controller stores header information of the reception data in the second main memory. Recognize and output a transmission instruction to the transfer unit to the first slave node that has failed in the broadcast communication for the received data,
Test mode, return instructions and information on the grant, according to claim 2 or claim 3 broadcast communication test method wherein transmitting from the ATM cell converting section. 5. A broadcast communication test method using the broadcast communication test method according to claim 1.